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Not too long ago I was digging in the trash and on this day I was real excited, doing a real badger on this can. I hit a vein of beer cans that kept going all the way to the bottom. So I’m totally misbehaving by winging cans over my shoulder and making a racket. A total lowlife I was. As I get towards the bottom, the air is getting a little stale and I’m sweating a fair amount. So I squeeze my way out and as I’m dripping sweat and trying to regain my focus, I find that I am staring at a mother with her maybe five-year-old daughter. They are standing there staring at me. One was a miniature of the other. I believe their jaws were slack.

I’m a little embarrassed, but not too much because I’m really happy. That was a two- or maybe a three-dollar pop. I don’t know how the mother-daughter conversation went after that but I have a feeling that the mother used this as a valuable tool to get her daughter to eat well, brush her teeth, do her homework, get to bed on time, and be kind to others.

Pollution from mining, smelting, etc, is the alternative to recycling. Mom should have smiled at Daniel on her daughter's behalf.

Also, there's undeniable magic in turning garbage into money. I wouldn't bend over to pick up a dirty nickle, but a filthy can that somebody put their mouth on, now that's a different story. Ka-ching! Water will make the hands clean again. It's an awesome solvent, even without soap. Daniel Brainerd should be viewed as an angel, doing God's work. I'd shake hands with him anytime that water is handy. Actually, come to think of it, money itself is probably dirtier than most salvaged cans.

Thanks for keeping SB green, Daniel,and glad you hit a great aluminum vein in that dumpster. I'm glad you didn't try to explain the service to the community (as well as supporting yourself) you were doing by recycling & reducing solid waste - you could have been arrested for harassing that 5 year-old & mom, but you gave them a good example of sustainable living. Great letter, happy hunting. I've noticed there aren't as many recycling cans around since the announcement of the 50% rate increase. I've found a lot more cans in trash containers recently. Life is good.